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Staff

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The Association's four-person staff consists of an Executive Director, a Policy and Advocacy Director, a Member Relations Director, and an Administrative and Operations Assistant. 

The Association also contracts a part-time accountant.

Cienian, Joey Thumbnail Image Cienian, Joey

Executive Director

Phone: 651-789-3090 ext. 1

Email Joey

Joey has a Masters Degree in Teaching from Hamline University and Bachelor Degrees in History and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Joey worked for over a decade at the High School for Recording Arts where he served as the Director of Education. Before working at HSRA, he was a Political Organizer for Greenpeace in Arizona and Minnesota. He is a political advocate committed to equity and social justice, passionate about civic engagement, and a storyteller. Joey also enjoys making art and music, playing basketball, and enjoying the great Minnesota outdoors with his wife Annie and daughters Willa and June.

 

Padgett, Michael Thumbnail Image Padgett, Michael

Member Relations Director

Phone: 651-789-3090 ext. 3

Email Michael

Michael earned a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Psychology from Old Dominion University and a M.A. in Teaching from Hamline University. Prior to MACS, Michael worked at High School for Recording Arts, where he served as an academic advisor, English and Humanities teacher, and Education Development Strategist, as well as PiM Arts High School, where he served as an English teacher. He has also worked in the field of psychology, helping individuals affected by severe and persistent mental illness, as well as families impacted by housing instability and children on the autism spectrum. Michael is a passionate advocate for equity, justice, and developmental progress in education. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, art, music, cooking, traveling and sports.

Johnson, Genevieve Thumbnail Image Johnson, Genevieve

Administrative & Operations Associate

Phone: 651-789-3090 ext. 4

Email Genevieve

Genevieve holds a B.A. in Business Administration – Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and has over 25 years of experience working in administrative support.  Though never an educator in the public school system, Genevieve taught dance professionally for 18 years as a contracted artist in public schools, private schools, universities, arts programs, non-profits, and community centers from southeastern Minnesota to Los Angeles, California.  Her passion for teaching – and advocacy for every type of student – expands into her role for working with MACS.  Genevieve believes in the power of charter schools, particularly in the ways they center the needs of specific communities with a focus on our youth.

Genevieve is a proud mom of a charter school kid, fierce protector of LGBTQ2IA+ rights, animal lover, plant appreciator, and supporter of the incredible activism garnered by community support in the Twin Cities. The warm months in Minnesota mean lots of camping and beach time for her and her kiddo; winter months are full of joyful sledding and costume making for her performance career.

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